I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby

Have you ever heard of the Hutterites?  I hadn't...even though their first colony in North America was established in my home state of South Dakota in the 1800's.  The Hutterites are a group of Anabaptists similar to the Mennonites and the Amish.  They differ however in the practice of common ownership of goods. They first settled near Yankton, South Dakota, but then many of the Hutterite communites moved to Canada during WWI.

 I am Hutterite is the true life story of Mary-Ann Kirkby, a young Hutterite girl, that had to learn to live in two cultures: Hutterite and "English" (think, "mainstream Canadian culture").  The glimpse into the Hutterite culture captured my attention, but it was Mary-Ann's wit and humor that truly carried the book!  I so enjoyed reading about her adventures as a young girl in the Hutterite colonies that she resided in.  I was moved by her father's bravery and faith in God to start a new life when conflict and heartache arose in the community.  I was convicted by her family's willingness to forgive in the face of tragedy and wrongs that they endured as a result of the conflict.

I am Hutterite touched my heart...although it is an autobiography, it reads more like a novel that spans several generations in a family. I got engrossed in the family happenings- the happy times and sad ones alike.  It is a poignant book not to be missed!

Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it. I am not required to give a positive review. All my opinions are my own.